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Plexxikon Opts to Co-Promote with Genentech

Berkeley, CA-based Plexxikon, the developer of a novel treatment for a deadly skin cancer, said today it has exercised its right to co-promote the drug in the U.S. with Genentech, the South San Francisco-based unit of Roche. This means that Plexxikon plans to set up its own specialty sales force to help pitch PLX4032, a drug being developed for patients with melanoma who have a mutant form of a protein known as BRAF. Under the deal, Plexxikon will be eligible for “enhanced royalties” on product sales through its co-promotion, and Plexxikon will also reimburse Genentech for certain promotion costs. Plexxikon and Roche formed a partnership around PLX4032 in 2006.